Workshops & Schedule
Workshops run all day Saturday and Sunday with break in the afternoon for tea and treats. Lunch both days is on your own.
While we do require registration for the weekend overall, you do not need to register for individual classes. Workshops are open to all comers — just pick what sounds fun and interesting. Beginners are always welcome, even if you only watch!
We offer four workshop slots each day. Each workshop slot offers at least one class in each of our program areas:
Sean-nós and traditional singing
Sean-nós and traditional dancing
Irish language
Traditional instrumental music, both performance techniques and tunes
There is at least one class in each workshop slot that is appropriate for beginners. Come learn to dance a jig, sing a song, or say a bit in Irish!
Emma O’Sullivan teaches a dance class (photo by Angeline LeLeux)
2024 Workshop schedule
Our TENTATIVE workshop titles are listed below. You may take any class you’re interested in and don’t need to pre-select workshops. (Please be aware some classes, especially language workshops, build on previous class sessions.) If you have questions about specific offerings, please let us know and we’ll get you the answers!
All class titles subject to change.
Friday night - optional event
This year, we won’t be hosting a social event on Friday evening. Instead, festival attendees have the option to attend a performance by Gráinne Hambly, a talented Irish harp player from County Mayo, and Randal Bays. They will be performing at Olympia’s Coach House, located at 211 21st Avenue SW, Olympia. (This is approximately one mile from the Red Lion hotel in downtown.)
The Session on Sunday evening will also be held at this location. WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING A SESSION ON SATURDAY AFTER THE CONCERT.
| 9:00 am - 9:30 am | Check-in - all attendees please come to the lobby to pick up your registration packet |
| 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Welcome and Building Orientation |
| 10:00 am - 11:15 am | Workshop 1 Gaeilge: Learning the Irish language Singing: Sean-nós Love Songs Dance: Intro to Sean-nós Dancing Music: Tunes with John |
| 11:15 am - 12:30 pm | Workshop 2 Gaeilge: Continued Irish language Singing: Songs in Praise of Place & People Dance: Jig Steps in Sean-nós Dancing Music: Polkas from Sliabh Luachra |
| 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Lunch on your own |
| 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm | Workshop 3 Gaeilge: Bingo as Gaeilge Singing: Sean-nós Laments Dance: Kitchen Dances Music: Slides from Sliabh Luachra |
| 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm | Tea and Treats - Lobby |
| 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm | Workshop 4 Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language Singing: Lighthearted Sean-nós Songs Dance: Finding Your Own Steps Music: Sliabh Luachra Versions of Tunes You Might Know |
| 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Dinner on your own |
| 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm | Concert - please enter concert hall from the mezzanine |
| 9:30 am - 10:00 am | Check-in for Sunday-only attendees (no check-in needed for full weekend attendees) |
| 10:00 am - 11:15 am | Workshop 5 Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language Singing: More Sean-nós Laments Dance: Sean-nós Jig Steps Music: Tunes with John |
| 11:15 am - 12:30 pm | Workshop 6 Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language Singing: More Sean-nós Songs of Praise Dance: An Timeáil, the Cornerstone to Solid Timing and Dancing the Tune Music: Airs from Sliabh Luachra |
| 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Lunch on your own |
| 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm | Workshop 7 Gaeilge: Irish Place Names Singing: The Amazing Variety of Irish Singing Traditions (with David Ingerson) Dance: Advanced Sean-nós Reel Steps Music: Reels from Sliabh Luachra |
| 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm | Tea and Treats - Lobby |
| 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm | Workshop 8 Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language Singing: More Sean-nós Love Songs Dance: Sean-nós Chonamara Music: Listening Lab: Padraig O’Keeffe, Denis Murphy, & Julia Clifford | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Dinner on your own |
| 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | No-host Session |
Concert
If you can’t join us for the workshops, consider attending the concert only. The workshop instructors perform on Saturday evening, demonstrating in their respective areas of expertise. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around! The concert is held in the same location as the rest of the festival — the Communications Building at The Evergreen State College. The performance starts at 7:00. Tickets are available by clicking on the “Register” button below.